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Harleston Town boss Matt Halliday delighted to be reunited with striker Jamie Smith and right-sided James Wilson following successful spell together at Sheringham




Harleston Town manager Matt Halliday has revealed his high hopes for what his first signings can bring to the club, having worked with both previously in his successful back-to-back promotion-winning side at Sheringham.

Right-sided defensive player James Wilson, 23, and 30-year-old striker Jamie Smith are the names in question with both making their debuts in the 3-0 loss at Dereham Town in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division last Tuesday.

Both were subsequently unavailable for Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Great Yarmouth Town which saw Joe Manning’s header provide a late equaliser to Yarmouth’s first-half goal through George Couzens in a result which left the Magpies 16th in the table.

James Wilson in action for Diss Town at the end of last season Picture: Mark Bullimore
James Wilson in action for Diss Town at the end of last season Picture: Mark Bullimore

On making frontman Smith among his first signings since taking over the reins from Danny Crow in late November, Halliday said: “Jamie joins us on dual registration from Easton.

“He is someone who I worked with at Sheringham and he was fantastic for me.

“He scored 27 goals and attracted interest from teams at a higher level which was thoroughly deserved.

“It's fair to say it didn't quite work out for him but I have total faith in him as a player and he is someone who will always score goals.

“He will bring pace, power and goals to our team and I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

Wilson, who came to Diss following completion of a US soccer scholarship, also played under Halliday at Sheringham .

“I'm delighted to get James in. I have known James for a long time and know what he is capable of,” he said.

“He will bring pace, athleticism and good quality to our team.

“He has a fantastic work ethic which was clearly evident when we worked together at Sheringham where he did brilliantly for me.

“Since then James has been to America and some other local teams where he will have gained some valuable experience.

“He has suffered some setbacks with injuries recently but I was delighted that he wished to work together again and I can’t wait for him to get going.”

Harleston, who have moved to 14 points above the newly-redrawn two team, instead of three, relegation zone, head to second-placed Fakenham Town on Saturday (3pm) looking to end a three-game winless run against a side who responded to back-to-back defeats by beating visiting leaders Thetford Town 3-0 at the weekend to close the gap to two points.



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